'Completely Unacceptable': UK Hits Back At Netanyahu Over 'Islamic Republic Of Britain' Remark

News world 'Completely Unacceptable': UK Hits Back At Netanyahu Over 'Islamic Republic Of Britain' Remark

'Completely Unacceptable': UK Hits Back At Netanyahu Over 'Islamic Republic Of Britain' Remark

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Last Updated: August 15, 2026, 03:32 IST

The diplomatic row began after Netanyahu made the comment during an interview for an Israeli army radio podcast, while criticising Britain’s approach to Israel.

Combo image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. (AFP photos)

Britain on Friday hit back at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he referred to the UK as an “Islamic republic", calling the remark “completely unacceptable" and saying it had raised the matter with the Israeli government.

The diplomatic row began after Netanyahu made the comment during an interview for an Israeli army radio podcast, while criticising Britain’s approach to Israel.

“Someone once said that the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons would be the Islamic republic of Britain," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel was ensuring there would not be “another one here in Iran".

UK Rejects Netanyahu’s Remark

A UK government spokesperson said: “These comments are completely unacceptable and we have raised them with the Israeli Government."

Netanyahu had been discussing Winston Churchill’s grandson, also named Winston Churchill, and his support for Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. He questioned whether Britain had similar support for Israel today before making the “Islamic republic" remark.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer sought to play down the comments in a BBC interview, saying Netanyahu had been quoting someone else.

“He [Netanyahu] was making a quote that someone else had given," Mencer said, referring to US Vice President JD Vance.

Vance had made a similar remark at the Munich Security Conference in 2024, warning that Britain could become “the first truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon". The comments were criticised by senior British politicians at the time.

The latest dispute comes amid growing differences between London and Jerusalem over Israel’s military campaigns and the wider Middle East war.

Britain was among several European countries to recognise a Palestinian state last year, angering Israel. The UK has also maintained a more cautious position than Washington over the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while Tehran denies seeking them.

The UK and US possess nuclear weapons, while Israel is widely believed to have an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Pakistan became the first nuclear-armed Muslim-majority state in 1998 after conducting nuclear tests following India’s tests that year.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Key Questions Answered Powered by Ask News18 What impact will this remark have on UK-Israel ties? The remark by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been called "completely unacceptable" by the UK government, which has raised the matter with the Israeli government. This incident adds to already strained relations between the UK and Israel, which have been impacted by the Gaza war and the UK's approach to Israel's military campaign. Could this incident affect future diplomatic relations? The incident could affect future diplomatic relations between the UK and Israel, as ties are already strained due to disagreements over Israel's policies and the wider regional conflict. The UK has previously suspended negotiations on a new free trade agreement with Israel and reaffirmed its recognition of Palestine. Why did Netanyahu make such a controversial statement? Benjamin Netanyahu made the controversial remark about the UK being an "Islamic republic" during an Israeli army radio podcast while criticising Britain's approach to Israel. He questioned Britain's current support for Israel, comparing it to support shown during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The comment also came amid strained relations between Israel and Britain over the Gaza war and the UK's stance on Israel's military campaign. Powered by Ask News18

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Location : United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: August 15, 2026, 03:11 IST

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